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On June 6, 1944, 11,000 planes, 4,000 ships, thousands of smaller craft and 250,000 men invaded the shores of Normandy in northwest France, just 120 miles from German-occupied Paris. This incredi-ble event was to become forever known as “D-Day,” and it was to mark the beginning of the end to World War II in Europe.

The Normandy Invasion.

History’s greatest armada had begun crossing the turbulent English Channel at midnight, in a driving rainsquall. Consisting mostly of American, British and Canadian forces, 4,400 of them were to perish as the troops beat down the Nazi coastal defenses. The following day, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill announced that several strategic bridges had already been captured.
But, the news wasn‘t all about war, that summer of ‘44.

At last, we have an actual research study about naturism and its positive effects on body image and happiness!
The research was published online in the Journal of Happiness Studies on January 21st, 2017. It set out to investigate the “possible psychological benefits of naturism.” As the author notes, naturists have long been making claims about how naturism improves self-esteem, body image, happiness and has many other benefits.
But as the situation indicates, “very little empirical research has investigated these benefits or any plausible explanations for them.” This is sadly true. You’d think in an industry as big as this one, some organization would’ve funded this type of research by now.

Previous research studies demonstrate the positive effects of naturism on kids

The paper cites the few relevant studies that were conducted in the past 55+ years. There are a number of studies that show how naturism or nudity benefits children.
Marilyn Story’s research from the 80’s found that nudist kids had a more positive body image than non-nudist kids.
In their 1988 study, Lewis and Janda found a correlation between childhood exposure to non sexual nudity and increased self-esteem as well as comfort with sexuality in adulthood.

Genesis tells us about the moment humans first “realized” they were naked, quickly followed by the moment they were first ashamed of being naked — but it doesn’t explain why humans were ashamed. Animals are naked (albeit furry), and for tens of thousands of years, so were human beings. So what changed — and if we wanted to, could we change back, and unlearn our shame? Recently, some British researchers attempted to find out.

Their theory is that the shame of being naked was codified in (most) human societies as a way of protecting mating pairs. (Perhaps it’s no coincidence that humans are among the few mammals that mate for life — and they’re also ashamed of being naked.) The thinking goes that humans’ natural gregariousness and need to interact outside the family group, coupled with nakedness, created too many temptations to stray from the mating pair. Continued…Read full original article…

It should surprise no-one that, when it comes to the law and naked bodies, context is everything. The man who strips off for the sauna at the gym without any repercussions could be subject to a fine of many thousands of dollars if, a few hours later, he were to streak across the MCG during the cricket. The woman who plays beach volleyball in her birthday suit at New South Wales’ oldest nudist stretch of sand, Lady Bay Beach, without legal consequences could be fined an hour later should she not put on some form of covering when walking back to her car.

Sometimes public nudity is just fine, as it was at the 2018 Sydney Skinny Swim at Cobblers Beach. AAP/Ben Rushton

Whether someone’s personal exposure attracts the attention of law enforcement depends upon what is deemed by officers to be an “obscene” act or “indecent” exposure. The words of the Office of Film and Literature Classification can be adopted usefully here. To determine whether something (or someone) is obscene or indecent, police must take into account the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults.

While there are many prosecutions around the country each year for lewd behaviour generally (which would include “flashing” and indecent exposure), prosecutions for nakedness on its own are extremely rare. There is one famous exception, but we need to go back four decades to rural Western Australia to find it. Continued…Read full original article…

While in today’s society the naked body is often seen as something to be ashamed of, in the ancient world nudity was seen simply as a part of everyday life. For the Ancient Greeks, the human body was a sacred thing that was meant to be celebrated in both art and everyday life.

An artist’s idea of how a Minoan priestess queen might have lived

Nude bull leaping

In Minoan culture, while complete nudity was not as prevalent as in other parts of Greece, the Minoan believed in equality for both genders in regards to being bare-chested. A popular sporting event at the time involved young adults, both men and women, who displayed their gymnastic skills by leaping through the horns of a charging bull. For practical purposes, the competitors would wear only a small, thin loincloth to ensure that they had freedom of movement and to avoid any hindrance due to clothing (getting caught up with a bra strap while facing a charging bull is one wardrobe malfunction you definitely don’t want to have). Continued…Read full original article…

Kelly’s Beach — a 25-kilometre stretch of dunes along the Northumberland Strait accessible only by a pedestrian boardwalk — is popular for its warm salt water, picturesque views, and endangered piping plovers.

But it’s also a hotspot for naturists — or nudists — who for years have enjoyed au naturel sunbathing, swimming and socializing in an isolated area south of the supervised beach.

“It does happen almost every year,” said Kouchibouguac visitor experience manager Jérôme Lussier. “Parks Canada is aware that this practice does occur at Kelly’s Beach, but it is not allowed.”

That hasn’t deterred some from letting it all hang out.

Kelly’s has been ranked among the “best nude beaches in Canada” by Cottage Life magazine, featured by photo-entertainment website the Chive as a place to find “naked Canadians,” and profiled on numerous nudist blogs. Continued…Read full original article…

European Trip 20182018 . . . and our third consecutive year heading to Solaris Naturist Resort near Pôrec in Croatia. Our trip this year will begin on Friday 13th July from Colchester, Essex around 6pm when my wife and I will travel to Folkestone in our Swift Kontiki 669 motorhome

The countdown until we leave is on, today Gina and I have been cleaning, packing and organising our kit for the journey. In less than 72 hours we will have left Colchester and will have begun the 1000+ mile journey to Croatia. Because we will be away for 43 nights we have to make sure that we leave our affairs back home sorted and up to date, there is a lot to think about for both our family and friends and for our businesses and work commitments.

Thank you to all of you for taking the time to follow our trip this year, it would be great if you could message us and leave us comments whilst on our journey, it’s because of you that we are writing this blog so it’s really important that you give us feedback, all of your comments and feedback will be read and replied to . .. . thank you 🙂

As I stated in my last post I am a Christian. This may come as a surprise to you, especially since much of the nudist community has shunned religion. The shunning is unfortunately mutual in most circumstances.

But, just like politics, nudists come from many religious backgrounds. Personally, I come from a very conservative sect of Christianity.

How does this mesh with my naturism?

Honestly, I don’t tell people at church about my naked tendencies. For me it’s a matter of conscience where for many of them it’s a black and white matter of morality. Since nudity is so tied to illicit sex in our culture it would be potentially disastrous to tell my fellow believers about my position. Continued…Read full original article…

Visitors shocked by ‘nudist’ incident at Vale beachA business owner in the western Vale has told The GEM that local residents and visitors to the area have been shocked that people are, according to reports, walking naked across fields near the coast in the Monknash area en route to beaches.

There are no official naturist beaches in the Vale , but The GEM understands that a group meets regularly at Wick beach.

The business owner said that two weeks ago a couple visiting her premises had experienced an incident at Cwm Nash beach.

“As they walked down to the stile by the woods a chap was parking his bicycle and at that point had shorts on.

“However, when he was behind the husband walking down the path, he had stripped off. Before going down to the beach, he went up on the cliff path.

“The couple were sunbathing and were then approached by a chap in trunks who asked them to rub suntan cream into his back. It was awkward for them to say no, so the wife agreed and he then walked a few steps away from them and stripped off. Continued…Read full original article…

Given how lovely and warm the weather is now, spending time in your own house or garden naked would be a good way to discover how nice naturism is.

If you’re sunbathing, or walking around, with no clothes on in a public place, providing your intention is you are just being a human being, and not doing it to offend people or be provocative, or causing harassment, alarm or distress, then it should be perfectly legal.

Naturists are sensitive to sensitivities and probably won’t be walking around the supermarket, but the law doesn’t say you can’t. The recent police advice about warning your neighbours if you’re going to sunbathe naked in your garden is fine if it’s general advice, but it’s not in any sense a legal requirement. If you’re thinking about getting into naturism, the best thing is to find a club in your area – next week is our big summer event, Nude Fest. We understand what it is like for newcomers, but our advice always is just strip off. People have said they can be nervous and it can be uncomfortable for 10 minutes and then they think: “No one’s looking at me, and this feels rather nice.” In those environments, the person who still has their clothes or swimsuit on is the one that stands out. At events or clubs, everybody after five minutes completely forgets they’ve got no clothes on, because you just feel so free, so liberated.

All beaches are technically naturist beaches, but naturists tend to go to specific places where they know they will find others and which are hassle-free. You could go to your local park, naked, and it would be legal but the trouble is, culturally you would probably attract attention. Continued…Read full original article…

It earlier this month that the Meco Beach receives for the sixth time, Nudist league, Proof of five kilometers in the corridors men shoes running shoes (and nothing else, literally) in an attempt to end the misconceptions about the practice of naturism, which is defined as a philosophy of life in which we live in harmony with nature and that is reflected by the practice of nudism.

In Portugal, the trend is growing, having already eight legalized beaches to practice naturism, all south of the country, and “several dozen identified beaches of usual and customary naturist, some of them framed the law in force” points Rui Elvas, president of Alma Naturist Association, which was established in October last year by 11 naturists federated in order to contribute to the development of this practice in Portugal.

“In our activities, we seek beyond naturist scope activities, where clothing is optional, develop activities with other forms of citizenship for the environment and solidarity” explains Luis Elvas, it explained that the association presiding undergoes based ” in individual freedom, structured nuclei with financial freedom and own activities, enabling greater proximity to the naturist community and local government. ” Continued…Read full original article…

No, Nudist’s Aren’t Perverts.One common misconception of Nudists is that they are sex addicts and perverts. In fact, one need not to go far for articles that address the issue. But what are Nudists really about?

Although sex and nudism are two very different things, it’s easy to understand how and why people may confuse them. Many people view the naked body as something sexual, probably because a lot of shared naked activities are sex. So it’s understandable. And men, in particular, can be viewed as predatory if naked outside of these situations.

We are also brought up to view nudity as shameful, or dirty, dependent on either social, family or religious beliefs. It’s just being human. But, at the same time, so is learning.

Friendly non-sexual nudity

The ‘Why?’ of Nudism varies on depending the person you ask, and that meaning may be very deep and special. For some, it is a lifestyle, for others; philosophical. It may even be a political and cultural statement. No matter the reason, the intent is usually good. And that’s great.

And when asked to describe Nudism, practitioners often use similar words. Freedom, relaxation, liberty, comfort and harmony are ubiquitous. And between these different definitions, there is one more important agreement. Nudism, as practised outside of the bedroom, doesn´t have anything to do with sexual pleasure. Continued…Read full original article…

In the 1970s, when in their 20s, friends of ours (let’s call them Felicity and Brendan) decided it would be fun to visit a naturist resort for a day. (Yes, naturist means nudist, but adherents prefer naturist. It sounds classier.)

Fishing naked is generally a bad idea, as a visit to a naturist community proved. MetroCreative Graphics

Living in Montreal, they heard of such a resort in the Laurentian mountains north of the city. So one fine sunny Saturday in July, off they drove.

The resort was well off the beaten track (naturally). They ended up on a narrow dirt road cutting through dense woods. They came upon a gate blocking the road. Continued…Read full original article…

Although still taboo in many places, casting aside your clothes at the shore has become a customary practice around the world in recent times.
From rocky coastlines to talcum powder fine sands, and big city bays to secluded shores, there are now hundreds of beaches where it’s perfectly legal (or at least de facto legal) to sunbathe, swim and otherwise frolic beside the sea in nothing more than your birthday suit.

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I also know that in Europe, for instance, the two words are used differently. Naturism appeared after nudism. I’ve been thinking about those two words recently.

Nudist or Naturist?

Thoughts on the difference

Nudism. The word has ‘nude’ as its base. Being nude. Like the people in the image on the right, playing bowling, having a clothes free, good time. Great for them, and if you’d ask me I’d join them in an instant. For one it’s a great way to be socially nude, and for another it would be nice to practice bowling again. (I truly suck at it.)

Naturism. The word has ‘nature’ at its base. Being with/part of nature, like the people on the left. Naked in nature, being part of it and experiencing it that way. Exposing themselves to the real, rough world in their own vulnerability. It’s a way to get things into perspective. Continued…Read full original article…

The practices of nude sunbathing and “meercatting” on a notorious section of Papamoa beach has been discussed in a council meeting this afternoon.

Tauranga City Council’s community and culture committee was considering a reviewed Beaches Bylaw.

Tauranga City Councillors discuss nudity at Papamoa Beach Getty

Staff had elected not to include anything in the bylaw about nudity on the beach, but councillors said it was an issue that residents regularly raised with them.

Mount Maunganui/Papamoa ward councillor Steve Morris said residents had spoken to him about an area of Papamoa Beach which had historically been known for nude sunbathing.

It’s understood the area he was referring to was off Sandhurst Drive. The beach, near the junction of Maranui St and Papamoa Beach Rd, has been enjoyed by nudists for decades. Continued…Read full original article…

The owner Tim Higgs, with a flute in his hand, is resplendent among the bubbles. Behind us, indifferent to drizzle of Birmingham, a naked couple reclining on lounge chairs, their faces are buried in copies of the magazine British Naturism and OK !. Elsewhere wander lonely men of middle age, with his arms dangling at their sides.

This is the scene feared by a group of local conservative councilors and residents who opposed the liquor license granted to the Clover Spa & Hotel. Appealing to the Birmingham City Council, they said that allowing the sale of drinks could lead to “an increase in inappropriate behavior and demonstrations of the meat” at the hotel, which opened in the suburb of Erdington in 2011. But the complaints did not give very sure. Following an important licensing committee meeting this week, Higgs is now free to sell alcohol to his guests Continued…Read full original article…

Despite its controversial reputation, people continue to join nudist communities. In fact, an estimated 10 to 15 percent of the American population prefers being in the nude. This begs the question of whether there’s a way to use nudism to save money?

Actually, many nudist colonies cost money to join — hence they’re often called resorts. They usually consist of walled-in communities of homes, apartments, and other amenities where people simply live in the nude.

When trying to encourage positive change in the world, it can be hard to make your voice heard and stand out, no matter how noble the cause.

But one man found a unique solution: strip off and pose for pictures.

Alin Ostafe

Meet The Naked Professor, an Instagram account and blog dedicated to encouraging people – and men in particular – to become more connected to themselves, free their minds, reveal their true selves and be proud of who they are. Continued…Read full original article…

One of the more noteworthy observations I have made as a naturist is the sometimes feeling of being more naked than other times. When you are nude most hours of the day it almost becomes so commonplace that you forget it. You forget how special it is, because it has become the norm and isn’t really special anymore.

Mundane nudity

But some days I just feel more free than others. Some days my nudity is far more noticable. The breeze is just that much more sensational on my skin, the sun is that much warmer. Sometimes it’s just the blissful feeling of nothing. I just am. Naked. Open to the world. Continued…Read full original article…

The naked body is as old as humanity. But nudism as a social form, organised into clubs and societies, only came of age in England in the 1920s. Its practitioners were from a range of backgrounds and included those with interests in “physical culture” (today we would refer to this as body building and beauty contests). Many were interested in natural health, including vegetarian and raw food diets, and new exercise regimes from hiking to yoga.

Nudism was particularly embraced by artists and intellectuals as part of a wider set of progressive practices associated with free thought. Many were internationalists inspired by longer standing German nudist traditions, which were far more popular and organised on a larger scale than English efforts. They understood disrobing to be part of a wider ideal of physical, mental and spiritual liberation. Continued…Read full original article…

Nature is glorious. It can make us feel a whole lot of ways — sometimes nature’s splendor makes us want to charge all the way up a mountain, or break out our stupidest dance move on the beach at sunset, or strip down to our birthday suits and skip through a field of wildflowers.

Signs prohibiting nudity are posted on San Onofre State Beach trails in North San Diego County, Calif. There’s actually no federal regulation against it in national parks, but some states prohibit public nudity, so don’t assume you are safe to strip down because you’re in a national park. ALLEN J. SCHABEN/LA TIMES/GETTY IMAGES

But what happens when our deepest instinct is to strip down naked to take in a primeval forest or a spectacular mountain vista, in a place where a lot of other people are definitely going to be around to spectate? Like in a national park, for instance. Turns out, you wouldn’t be the first person ever to have that impulse. But like so many other impulses, it’s important to know whether it’s legal. Continued…Read full original article…

A mother who shares baths with her 10 and 11-year-old sons is at risk of “confusing” her boys, a life coach has said.

Ben Edwards, who is a father himself, appeared on British breakfast programme This Morning to debate the issue of nudity in front of your children, and said that, as boys approach puberty, they “tend to fantasise about their mother”.

Journalist Lauren Libbert explained that she was naked in front of her sons and they bathed together often. This Morning

His comments came after journalist Lauren Libbert said she continues to bathe with her sons even though they are 10 and 11 – something she said is a “normal” and “enjoyable” part of their family routine, the Daily Mail reported.

Mother-of-three Holly Willoughby suggested Ben was “over-sexualising” the matter, but viewers watching at home appeared to agree with his point of view – tweeting that the mother-of-two’s decision to be openly naked in front of her children was “weird” and “not normal”. Continued…Read full original article…

Byron Shire Councillors voted at last Thursday’s meeting to continue a trial of changed conditions at the shire’s only official nude beach at Tyagarah but emphasised there was no guarantee the beach would remain clothing optional in the longer term

Enjoying a bit of fun in the sun are some naturists relaxing at the clothes-optional beach, Tyagarah. Jeff Dawson.

A spokesperson for the local naturist group told public access that the current trial, which was originally slated for three months but has continued for five, had been a success in clearing out seamy sex abusers whose presence on the beach had increasingly riled beachgoers and local residents.

She called for the beach’s clothing optional status to be confirmed, following the erection of signage, daily police patrols and a range of initiatives by her group. Continued…Read full original article…

This infographic points out that many of the serving or veteran military personnel who are diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are simply not receiving the clinical or financial support they need.

This is despite the fact that PTSD is more understood than ever before. In fact, as the infographic points out, doctors have been treating soldiers for psychological effects of combat since World War I. Continued…Read full original article…

People all over the world enjoy nonsexual nude recreation. Some call themselves skinnydippers. Some call themselves nudists. Some call themselves naturists. There are nudist or naturist vacations, clubs, resorts, campgrounds, groups, cruises and beaches across the globe.

Beverly B. Price AANR

We asked American Association for Nude Recreation President Beverly B. Price about AANR and nudism.

How would you describe AANR in one sentence?

The American Association for Nude Recreation is the oldest and largest organization in the Western Hemisphere advocating for and educating about nude living. Continued…Read full original article…

While the event started out 14 years ago as a protest to raise awareness for safer cycling conditions and sustainability, in Golden Bay it has slowly become a popular event for naturists, or nudists, and their clubs from around the country. Continued…Read full original article…

My inspiration for the book Naked Britain came from an image taken by Magnum photographer Elliot Erwitt from 1968 of a naturist couple in Kent. I first saw his exhibition in New York when I was 16 before studying his work in photography at A level. I often photographed my friends naked and loved that the images where people appeared most vulnerable and raw were the most beautiful and honest. This triggered an interest in a community where people were naked all the time and I researched naturism to see if this existed in the modern day and particularly in Britain where our attitudes to nudity seem slightly dated.

An image from Amelia Allen’s book Naked Britain

Being a fashion photographer means that I have spent the majority of my career photographing conventionally beautiful and aesthetically pleasing models who are used to display clothes. Everything surrounding this is, of course, to do with body image and having to look a certain way to fit a specific societal construct of what is seen as beautiful. Growing up today, through such a politically dynamic time, where women’s rights are a huge issue, I wanted to create a project that took liberation and freedom of body image into the limelight. I wanted to photograph a community that represented equality in body image, appearance, sexuality and gender.

As the project progressed I was fascinated by the fact that one week I was shooting London fashion week runway shows, and just 20 miles away was an entirely naked community, lounging in their own freedom of self love, liberation and body acceptance. Continued…Read full original article…

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